I've just finished reading 2 memoirs simultaneously, jumping back and forth between them: My First White Friend by Patricia Raybon , published in 1996, and Renegade for Peace & Justice by Barbara Lee, published in 2008. It was a happy accident. Both authors are accomplished black women who tell their personal stories dealing with racism. Raybon's account was especially interesting to me because she's local; she grew up in Denver in the 1950s and was a professor of journalism at CU Boulder until her recent retirement. It was a shock to read about her intense hatred of white people while subscribing to all the white values. Indeed, this was her dilemma—wanting to be her natural black self but feeling, knowing, she had to act white in order to be accepted.

Barbara Lee was a welfare mother of 2 before she was 20. From that dubious beginning, she became a champion of the marginalized, fighting for the rights of people all over the world from California farm workers to Darfur. She has been a member of the US House of Congress since 1998, representing California's 9th congressional district, and was the only person in either chamber of Congress to vote against going to war in Iraq. This made her the heroine of the anti-war movement, but sparked many death threats.

Both books are amazingly candid and honest, and both made me realize how naïve I've been about race, and the toll that racism exacts on the psyche. Being a peacenik, I love the courage that Lee has demonstrated in Congress, not only for her vote against the Iraq War, but for continuing to speak loudly for justice. Although she is one of my heros and her accomplishments are enormous, the last part of the book becomes tedious with too much of I did this. I found Raybon's memoir more enjoyable reading. I will be recommending it to my all-white book club. I can guarantee a good discussion.
Marcie Dahlen
3/26/09